When Mordecai learned all that had happened, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried out with a loud and bitter cry.

And in every province where the king's command and decree arrived, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.

For His anger is but for a moment; in His favor is life. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.

O Jehovah, by Your favor You have made my mountain to stand strong; You hid Your face, and I was troubled.

What profit is there in my blood, in going down to the pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your truth?

You have turned my mourning into dancing for me; You have loosened my sackcloth, and clothed me with gladness,

This was on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar. And on the fourteenth day of the month they rested and made it a day of feasting and gladness.

For You will light my lamp; Jehovah my God will cause my darkness to shine.

Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.

But the path of the just is as the brightness of dawn, that keeps getting brighter until it is fully daytime.

The way of the wicked is as darkness; they do not know at what they stumble.

When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; and when the wicked perish, there is jubilation.

You shall have a song, as in the night when a holy feast is consecrated; and gladness of heart, as when one goes with a flute to come into the mountain of Jehovah, to the Mighty One of Israel.

And Jehovah shall cause His glorious voice to be heard, and shall cause to be seen the bringing down of His arm, with raging anger and flame of a devouring fire, with driving storm, cloudburst and hailstones.

And the ransomed of Jehovah shall return and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy on their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.